Inclined platform lifts provide wheelchair and mobility device access on staircases where ramps aren’t feasible and traditional stairlifts can’t accommodate wheelchairs. American Elevator installs Symmetry inclined platform lift systems that preserve your building’s design, maintain stair access for ambulatory users, and create compliant accessibility without major construction disruption. Our custom rail fabrications fit any staircase configuration, indoor or outdoor, and licensed installers coordinate permitting and ADA compliance so your project stays on schedule and meets accessibility standards from day one.
Straight inclined platform lifts use standard rail sections that install faster, while curved systems require custom-fabricated rails built to your staircase’s exact dimensions and angles. American Elevator evaluates your stairway during consultation and confirms which configuration fits your layout and accessibility requirements.
American Elevator brings nearly three decades of regional experience to commercial inclined platform lift and residential projects across Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, handled by uniformed, licensed installers who stay with your project from start to finish. Every system is backed by a 1-year labor and 3-year parts warranty, going further than the industry standard on parts coverage because we stand behind the equipment and the way we install it. When custom rails need fabrication adjustments or your system needs service down the road, you’re calling the same team that did the installation. That continuity means fewer surprises, faster response times, and accountability that doesn’t disappear when the project closes.
With American Elevator, you can plan on a seamless installation process:
A stair lift uses a seat that the rider transfers into, which means the user has to leave their wheelchair or mobility device at the top or bottom of the stair. An inclined platform lift carries a full platform that accommodates the user’s wheelchair, so they travel without transferring. For wheelchair users, that difference is fundamental to independence. It also matters for safety, since transfers on stairs introduce fall risk. The inclined platform lift is the appropriate solution when maintaining seated wheelchair access across a staircase is the requirement.
During use, the platform occupies a significant portion of the stair width, which limits simultaneous stair use. For most residential and light commercial applications this is manageable because the lift cycles are brief. In high-traffic public buildings, it’s worth discussing traffic flow during the site assessment. When the platform is folded to its parked position, the rail still occupies some stair width, typically a few inches along the wall side. We assess your staircase width during the site visit and confirm that the installation meets clearance requirements for ambulatory users.
Outdoor inclined platform lift installations require equipment and rail systems rated for exterior exposure, and that’s what we install for outdoor applications. The Southeast’s heat and humidity are well within the design parameters for properly specified outdoor systems, though regular maintenance is more important in outdoor installations than interior ones. We’ll talk through a maintenance plan as part of the installation conversation. Our team holds up-to-date licensing across Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina and is familiar with regional code requirements for outdoor accessibility equipment.
An inclined platform lift can satisfy ADA requirements for accessible staircase routes when properly specified and installed. The system’s platform dimensions, controls, safety features, and operational standards all have defined requirements under accessibility codes. American Elevator coordinates ADA specifications during the design phase, manages permitting, and ensures the system passes state inspection before turnover. Whether an inclined platform lift is the right compliance solution for your specific situation depends on your building type, occupancy classification, and the applicable code authority. We work through those details during the consultation.
Curved configurations require custom-fabricated rails built to your staircase’s exact dimensions, which adds lead time compared to straight systems that use standard rail sections. The fabrication timeline is the primary variable, and it adds weeks to the overall project schedule. If you’re working against a compliance deadline or a project completion date, factor that lead time in and engage us early. We’ll give you a specific timeline estimate after the site assessment.
Ramps have the lowest equipment cost but the highest spatial cost, and they’re often not feasible when space is constrained. A vertical platform lift is typically the most straightforward platform solution for a single-level rise. An inclined platform lift is the right answer when the access requirement runs along an existing staircase and a VPL isn’t compatible with the layout. Curved inclined platform lifts carry a premium over straight configurations. The right comparison depends on your specific site, and we’d rather walk through it with you directly than offer numbers that don’t reflect your actual situation.
Stair width is the first design variable to address, because the rail system needs room alongside ambulatory stair users and must meet minimum clear width requirements at the folded position. Wall conditions for rail attachment, surface material at landing points, electrical placement for controls, and the visual profile of the system against an architecturally prominent staircase are all worth addressing during schematic design. We provide drawings for permit sets and work directly with design teams during planning so requirements are baked into the design rather than resolved after the fact. American Elevator also offers AIA credit to licensed architects as part of our professional outreach.
